Swine flu hotline launched

A swine flu hotline established by the health department to attend to public concerns about the H1N1 virus was "flooded" with calls, an operator said on Wednesday.

"We have been flooded with calls from 7am this morning [Wednesday]. Every time I drop the receiver, another call comes through," the woman, who asked not to be identified, said.

The line was "very busy" and she expected it to remain that way "all day".

The number 0861 DOH CDC or 0861-364-232 started operating on Wednesday to attend to questions the public may have about the virus which has so far killed six people in South Africa.- (Sapa, August 2009)

Read more:
One billion H1N1 vaccine ordered
Sixth swine flu death in SA